The West Valley city has invested about $490 million in west Glendale, and city officials shudder at the competition that a casino would create. Glendale spent about $80 million on its own convention and media center, $180 million in Jobing.com Arena, and borrowed $200 million for Camelback Ranch-Glendale, the spring training home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. It also brokered deals to land the Cardinals' new stadium, investing about $9.5 million in the project and another $11.5 million for youth sports fields around the stadium.

Glendale Councilwoman Joyce Clark believes that the tribe's West Valley Resort would suck the life out of many existing businesses by offering better deals on hotel rooms, dining, and entertainment — the same conclusion reached in a March 2009 study commissioned by Glendale to determine the economic impact of having a casino as a neighbor.

Indeed, the study concluded that the casino complex "would become a destination that would serve as competition for businesses" at Westgate City Center.

Monica Alonzo

San Lucy Chairman Albert Manuel remembers when a vast Gila Bend reservation was lush and full of life.

An artistâs rendering of the resort-style casino the Tohono Oâodham want to build in the West Valley.

Conducted by Elliott Pollack & Company, the study minimized any benefits the casino might create for the Glendale. It noted that the city would be saddled with extra costs for services such as public safety and street maintenance.

Glendale is concerned about the competition to Westgate City Center because it relies on the businesses there to generate the sales-tax revenue needed by the city to pay off about $490 million it borrowed to spark life into its western flank.

City officials moan that the Tohono O'odham have an unfair advantage in the marketplace because, as a sovereign nation, the tribe can undercut prices of adjacent businesses and because reservation isn't subject to state and local taxes.

Glendale will be happy only if the feds deny the tribe's application for a reservation, because then the city might someday annex the acreage and get a cut of sales and property taxes from traditional non-casino businesses that could locate there. To stay afloat, the city needs to squeeze every sales-tax dollar it can out of local businesses to cover debt payments tied to its prized sports-and-entertainment complex.

Administrators already had to cut $11 million from Glendale's 2009-10 budget because of an overall drop in tax revenue, and they estimate that they may have to cut $17 million from next year's budget.

The city has barely managed to make the loan payments for its complex without dipping into sales taxes generated by businesses outside the Westgate complex.

City Attorney Craig Tindall told New Times that the city's concerns are not purely economic.

"This is absolutely the wrong place to put a reservation and gaming facility," he said. "It's disruptive. Allowing this reservation is too great a risk."

As the laws stand, Glendale would not be able to annex the land without the Tohono O'odham's approval as long as the tribe owns it. But if the federal government turns down the tribe's reservation application, who knows what could happen? The tribe could conceivably sell the land and buy another plot that could be deemed reservation and build its casino there.

All this is to say that Glendale has precious little financial wiggle room, though nobody forced city leaders to step into the role of developer and invest public money to bankroll a hockey arena, a spring training complex, and a football stadium.

Nobody forced Glendale to hinge repayment of the massive loans for the sports-and-entertainment complex on sales taxes from future businesses that its leaders said would sprout like wildflowers around the stadium and arena.

It is true that the Nation would have the advantage of not automatically paying state and local sales taxes or fees to offset the city's need to build new streets or water lines for the casino. But it's also true that Glendale has had the advantage of using its government pulpit to protect its own interests as a developer.

On another front in the battle, Glendale officials are lambasting the tribe for concealing its ownership of the land and for keeping its plans for it hidden for six years before making a public announcement.

It is unfair criticism because hushed business transactions are common among developers. If a developer shows its hand too early, it could lose a negotiating edge or give competitors ample time to derail a project.

Albert Manuel, the San Lucy District chairman, said the tribe concealed its identity when it bought the West Valley land because of the tribe's previous experience with land negotiations.

After the tribe lost the roughly 10,000 acres of the Gila Bend reservation land to perpetual flooding and the land-replacement act was adopted, it found that replacing the property was difficult.

The act gave the Tohono O'odham $30 million in federal money with which to purchase unincorporated land in Maricopa or the other counties. The tribe was allowed to search for property outside southern Arizona when leaders could not find land near San Lucy at fair market value.

Manuel recalls that once it was known how much money the tribe had to spend, landowners jacked up prices when the tribe expressed interest in their properties. Manuel said some property owners tried to sell land for five times more than it was worth.

This is a fabulous article that I wish to print to add to my book of information regarding TO Nation and it's plight with the idiocy of City of Glendale fighting the proposed Casino that is legally allowed to be built according to all court cases, The 1986 Gila Bend Reclamation Land Act, Arizona Gaming Compact, and Prop 202. This is so sad. I believe the TO Nation's Dream of this beautiful Resort/Convention Center/Casino/Atrium will become a reality in 2012 and there are many of us who can't wait and have been helping TO Nation fight to WIN!

Ok with the greed thing, Do you know where AZ gets a lot of money for everyday funding that ALL state citizens use? Casino's, not just TO casino but all casino's. We think that the nation is just greedy then we better look again. Look how far this soverign nation has come and the future of where it wants to go. Think of the economy boost for the city of Glendale not just the boost of money for the nation. Everyone get a piece back and you people in opposition to the tribe as well. I'm sure you have used some kind of state funded program for yourself but for your family as well. If not what the hell do you drive on. . . roads are funded so you can get to and from work. Park and Rec where your family enjoy thier time together. Remember people we all win in this decision. Also Eric it is not just your city it is other peoples as well. You may have an opionon but there are a lot of other people involved as well. The politicans involved in stopping this project have to remember who helped get them into office. It's all about money and yes it is a major issue but as I have stated before, everyone wins from this type of establishment. So what if purchases were done on a low, either way those opposed would have tried to stop it someway. I just hope that people will stop and see the big picture and what this will do for not only Glendale's economy but for AZ and the people of the Tohono O'odham Nation. We are looking to protect the future not destroy it.

Glendale leaders dont seem to have a good grasp of economic development. They made a better that sports, bars and restaurants could never be hit by a recession. They were wrong. Now they are scared shitless this casino will be the final nail in the coffin for westgate and Jobing.com. This is Ed Beasely and Elaine Scruggs trying mitigate their bad decisions. The tribe should not have to pay for the stupidity and lack of vision of Glendale decisionmakers.

You could take this land and sell tacky turquoise jewelry on it and I would not mind. You could sell Fry Bread on it and I would not mind. You could put up historic native-american dwellings and I would not mind. You could erect a massive statue of an extended middle finger up in the air at us, and I would not mind. You could erect an outlet mall on it and I would not mind. You could move every Tohono O'odham nation tribe member into a massive condo building on the property and I would not mind. You could use it as a seasonal football game "cheap alternative parking lot" and I would not mind. You could use it as an administrative HQ for your OTHER casino operations and I would not mind.

But you decided to deceptively acquire the land and secretly plan to develop a casino on this land in the middle of my neighborhood. This I mind.

Knock off all the charges of racism and whatnot. This has nothing to do with homelands, longing for simpler days, yearning for Gila Bend or anything even remotely related. It has to do with your insensitivity over land use in a suburban neighborhood. Apparently you are not satisfied with the profits being realized from casinos located within traditional reservation lands. Either you're not getting the revenue, or you're getting plenty, but just want more. That's not my problem to solve.

I was OK living in an area where casinos were located nearby, but not in my neighborhood. Now they'll be moving into the domain where I live. I can't have that. I won't have that.

I think you members chose unwisely. You had to be arrogant and push the issue right into the middle of the developed urban centers. And as a result, you'll probably lose more than you gained from this. If you think that the feds will side with unchecked and unrestricted gaming growth in urban areas, you have seriously misjudged us.

I'd be more than happy for the feds to write them a check to allow them to purchase some other piece of property (that doesn't sit in the middle of my city) and open any casino they like. Likewise, if they want to buy this piece of property and open a Walmart with a "no-sales-tax" gimmick, I'm fine with that too. But no way do I want a casino in my city. Just no way.

A casino will not help the tribe recapture its "way of life" next to the river. Sad that they have chosen casinos as their new way of life.

The Glendale property acquired by the Tohono O'odham and purchased through a fictitious company, is entitled to be transfered into trust and deemed by the U.S. Department of Interior and Bureau of Indian Affairs to be an Indian reservation by the terms of the $30,000,000 Gila Benda inverse condemnation settlement Act and payment proceeds, BUT it is not eligible "Indian Lands" upon which any gambling casino can be built and operated. The Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act of 1988 prohibits class II or class III gambling on lands acquired by any Indian tribe after October 1988. The Glendale property was acquired in 2003 and is, not only ineligible for gambling, but is NOT ENTITLED TO one of the specific EXCEPTIONS to the general prohibition on gambling which exceptions are set out in 25 USC 2719. The land can be used, however, for other types of economic development as provided in the 1986 settlement Act.

It's nice to know that "Sara Mae Williams" would be willing to divide this money to dept. around the Nation. But then what? Think of it like your check comes in, its spent. Now what? The casino idea is to have continuous money for the Nation so we CAN have money for education, O'odham based stores. etc. to continue living in a world that wants to ________________ O'odham way of living.

The idea that the Tohono O'odham are infringing on City interests is looney. "Arizonians" squatted on Tohono O'odham land, not the other way around. The selected lands replace 10,000 acres? This is reflective of American responses to all things "Indian". We are invisible until the next time we get in the way. As long as we act the hollywood image, we are ok, but watch out if "they" feel that we don't play the part. The Tohono O'odham face outright institutionalized racism veiled under capitalistic greed. BUT, this is AZ: America's latest Ol' Southern Hospitality State!

Sorry, John... you might want to check your facts again. The land is unincorporated. Glendale has treated it as such and public documents confirm this. Heck, even a visit to the assessor's website shows this.

Regardless of the opposition by the politicians mentioned, it seems that the problem is with the inability of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, to make a decision to place the 134 acre parcel in trust so that it will become a reservation of the Tohono O'odham (TO) Nation. The Federal Government needs to fulfill it's responsibility to the TO Nation or return the lands it had taken for the Painted Rock Dam.

Politicians support Luke as a base for the F-35 and they want the Coyotes to remain in Glendale because they help the economy. A casino would probably be even more helpful to the economy as it's a 24/7 operation.

The two casinos operated by Casino Arizona adjacent to the City of Scottsdale have been positive economic engines to Scottsdale and have not increased the crime rate.

My name is Sara Mae Williams and I am a member of the Tohono Oódham Nation. One month and a half ago, I left the comforts of our Nation to live and work on a sustainable living farm in Obera, Misiones, Argentina for three months. While I have kept many of our Nations people updated with my travels, they in turn have kept me updated with information about issues regarding our Nation. I have never had the opportunity to properly respond and with the news in regards to our latest casino development, I would like to share my thoughts with you, respectively.

Recently, I have read responses from all sides of the West Valley Casino development issue, and there are many people for and just as many against, the entire casino development. Like a see-saw there sits three governments, Arizona State and all their supporters on one end, Tohono Oódham Nation and all their supporters on the other end and riding snug in the middle waiting to make a decision, the Federal Government.

While the issue of the land acquisition in the West Valley area is a no-brainer, I believe the real issue we as a Nation should be more concerned with is whether or not the West Valley Resort is in the best interest of our ¨People¨ to spend $500,000,000 dollars, that our government either has or will receive by loan, to invest in one (1) casino.

While I have read the numerous reports provided by our Nation from, The State of the Tohono Oódham Nation to the newly released Seth Waxmen Report and the West Valley Resort Study II. I can´t help but wonder, where is the voice of our Oódham People, where do we as a ¨People¨ fit within the West Valley equation?

A little over two years ago, we as a Nation elected our current Executive Administration, there was a new prospect for change on the horizon, hope was in our hearts for a new theme rang out, which said to the pèople, We:sig T-we:m. All of us Together...

We:sig T-we:m?

Not to be disrespectful and some might take it a such, but I have yet to see this idea actually practiced. Decisions have been made and are continually being made and often I feel that our Nation´s ¨People¨ are the last to be properly informed. I have yet to see a report written to the People on the State of the Tohono Oódham Nation´s Economy.

While the United States grapples with high-unemployment, States on the brink of bankruptcy, homes in foreclosure, and now many American´s find themselves in financial ruin. So, in the midst of a National recession, where does the Tohono Oódham Nation stand and how has it affected and effected our Nation?

I think by answering a few questions and properly informing our people about all aspects of the project, they in turn can make an informed decision on whether to support or not support the West Valley Resort project. I strongly believe that if we are going to spend money on gathering people´s decision about the project, off Nation, we should also spend money on gathering our own people´s opinions about the project, on Nation.

As far as, my own opinion is concerned, without all the logistics laid out, I currently do not stand in favor of the casino. The one question, I would like to ask the People of the Tohono Oódham Nation is simply,¨If you had $500 million dollars to spend and knowing what you know about the current economic situation, would you invest in a casino and if not, what would you do with $500 million dollars?¨

My own answer to this question is this, If I had $500 million dollars...

First, I would give $20 million to TOCC to finally build their new campus, I would give them an additional $10 million to begin a language and culture institute, where curriculum can be developed to be taught in all our school from Headstart to College. I would give 10 million to every school from new headstart centers to highschools, that need to either be built or remodeled. Remaining money can go toward program development. I would invest in Renewable Energy projects that not just benefiting the big business that have the money to buy energy but for our own people to benefit, as well. I would give $50,000 to every family that is willing to learn and build a sustainable earthen home, remaining money can be used to invest in solar technology. I would invest in job creation for our people and hopefully diminish our high-unemployment. Create quality human resource programs that get our people back to work, programs working for our people, not against them. I would shut Basha´s down and start our own grocery chain selling traditonal foods grown by our own Oódham farmers, meat provided by our own Oódham ranchers...and on and on....

Ultimately, what I am saying here is that I would invest in our ¨People¨. In the end, with this thought in mind, I think I would still have 100 million left over...

Unfortunately, I feel that this project has left a lot of people feeling uneasy. At the core, our brothers and sisters all over our traditonal Oódham land leave us to stand alone in pursuing this endeavor.

I wonder, if it would be in our best interest that if we, as a whole, We:sig T-we:m, find that this project will be beneficial to our, People, that we go forward, United and if so, maybe all our Oódham will follow. If not would it be so terrible to invest in our own ¨People¨?

In the words of the late Wilma Mankiller she once said, ¨In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.¨

I do think its all about"greed" but not on the part of the Tohono Nation but from the politicians. Once again the stall to allow the minorities to have something for themselves. Instead of looking at the benefits for the state after all the funding cuts for education, day care, etc...that the 8 percent could go to. If Gov. Brewer feels it is wrong then let her take a pay cut and sacrafice for our state as the middleclass do. If it was a white run corporation doing this, the white rich institutions would be all for it. But anything coming from brown in this state is all bad. And the worry about neighborhoods? why dont they take care of the neighborhoods of south phoenix, central phoenix, instead of just worrying about the affluent neighborhoods of the new west valley. Everyone is out for their own self interests thats how its always been and if the state is not willing to help let the various races that have found a way to survive in these pityful times then let them be.

No shit the tribe wants to make money. Its not masked in the article. They are doing it to make lots of money. Glendale is trying to stop it because they will lose lots of money. Its all about money. The story was very upfront about this and its the basis of the entire battle.

I like how the author is trying to mask greed as longing for a lost homeland, like any of these Tohono O'odhams will actually live there, all they want is casino $$$$, Why dont they build one in Gila Bend?

besides, the law being refered to only allows for UNICORPORATED areas to be annexed by the tribe, not west Glendale, hence the judge stopping it

You are so very wrong in your thinking. This is not your land. It is unincorporated land within Maricopa County which is deemed allowed to be purchased by TO Nation to build economic development. They did not do so deceptively as you state. what they did do is purchase the land as all white businessmen do, under a third party to keep the price down. they learned well from us on how to buy wisely. They wanted to make sure this time, the feds kept their promise to them. I, personally don't blame them. We don't live all that far away. I've spoken to many people who live near the area and have no problem with the building of the Casino. In fact they welcome it. It's way better than another office complex sitting around empty, or strip malls with empty store fronts, or even more bars, or better yet, more strip joints. As it stands now, it is just a huge empty piece of land sitting there doing nothing right beside a huge empty office complex that went bankrupt twice. The Resort is a beautiful building, as well as a 3 acre atrium, walkways lined with trees, Convention Center, Restaurants, and shopping. Parking and the Casino will be over near the on / off ramps of the Loop 101 so how does that effect you. Your neighborhood as you call it is about a mile down the road. There is office buildings, gas stations, restaurants, empty land, empty buildings, fields of something growing there, what used to be and maybe still an egg/chicken farm, mall with more buildings, parking, restaurants, and a movie theater further west of the Casino. Homes/neighborhoods/apartments etc., don't really start until almost a mile eastward. Guess you don't mind the Strip joint a little further down the road on Northern do you. That is okay. Let's get serious. This will create much needed jobs and revenue to revitalize the City of glendale and Westgate. Only thing at moment keeping Westgate alive now is the Wednesday Bike night, Big Boy's toy show once a year, maybe a few overpriced concerts, and oh yea, let's not forget the money losing Coyotes games that don't bring in much revenue, and all the huge lighted Billboards around the way cool dancing waters that promote all Gila River Indian Community Casinos that are anywhere from 45 minutes away to over 1 hr away. that's all ok though. Bars are plentiful all around the area, off track betting and poker all down in the Westgate City Center Plaza. Go figure. But, oh my, not a Casino. Can't have that now can we. Get a clue.

So it's OK for the tribes way of life to be destroyed for the benefit of us for more than a century, but it's not ok for them to do something that benefits them in "your neigborhood"?

I'm pretty sure they couldn't and wouldn't have their 22,000 acres cut down to 40 and then flooded by the gov't, but it happened and they dealt with it. Their not trying to take your half-acre property and cut it down to 100 square feet and then flood it.

The only reason people are mad now is because they're using the same progressive, deceptive, underhanded techniques that the u.s. gov't has been using for decades to acquire land and allow you to have your beloved neighborhood. If you don't like, don't patronize it.